Londoners are donating time and money in memory of Canadian terror victim Christine Archibald
On Sunday afternoon, Christine Archibald was named as the first victim of Saturday night’s terror attack.
A Canadian national visiting London for the weekend, she died in the arms of her fiancé after being struck on London Bridge. Her family told of how they were “torn apart” and how her fiancé, Tyler Ferguson, was “broken into a million pieces”.
But one part of their message was especially heartwarming. In a statement, the Archibalds asked people to honour their sister and daughter by making their community a better place. “Volunteer your time and labour or donate to a homeless shelter,” they asked, revealing the 30-year-old had worked in a shelter herself before moving to Europe to be with her fiancé. “Tell them Chrissy sent you.”
Those five words exemplify people’s extraordinary ability to turn tragedy into strength – not just in London, but all around the world. Since Saturday’s attack, numerous Londoners have rallied in support of the homeless, all in the name of a Canadian woman they never met.
Just hours after the Archibalds’ message, London’s busiest homeless charity The Connection At St Martin’s received a donation with the message “Chrissy sent me”. Pam Orchard, their chief executive, said she was “incredibly moved”. “It’s amazing how people can create something positive out of such a terrible situation,” she said. “Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends.”
Shera Chok, a GP and Director of Primary Care at Barts Health NHS Trust, was so moved by the Archibalds’ message she decided to raise money for national homeless charity Crisis in Chrissy’s name. On Saturday she will embark on a 116km pilgrimage trek through Spain known as the Camino de Santiago.
Dr Chok, who lives in Tower Hamlets, said she was not planning to fundraise, but was struck by the Archibald family’s beautiful tribute after the appalling attack. “I did my GP training at Guy’s hospital and live a few miles from London Bridge, so know and love the area,” she explained. “Like everyone, I was appalled to hear about the attacks. I wanted to help honour the victims of London and Manchester.”
The clinical advisor at NHS England, who is originally from Leeds, said she will use the Camino to remember Chrissy and the others who lost their lives in the recent attacks. “That last sentence, tell them Chrissy sent you, just gets me every time,” said Dr Chok. “I’ve been a GP in the East End since 1997 with spells in Darfur, Laos and Indonesia. This reminds me of what a Greek doctor told me: ‘I’ve always wanted to work with an NGO and refugees, I just didn’t expect to do it in my own city.’ I think sadly we’re seeing a similar shift here in London. I have no idea if I can carry a rucksack up and down hills for 116km, but will give it a go.”
To donate to Dr Chok’s appeal, please visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Shera-Chok1
Londoners are donating time and money in memory of terror victimLondon Bridge attackChristine ArchibaldLondon victims: The Londoners donating time and money in memory of Christine ArchibaldChristine Archibald was the first victim to be named in last weekend's terror attack on London Bridge